Bishop Bransfield, Regional Catholic Community Celebrate the Life of Father Leo Lydon

By Connect Clarksburg Staff | June 02, 2018

Reverend Leo Bernard Lydon, 95, of Bridgeport, WV died on Sunday, May 27, 2018. He actively and faithing served the Catholic Church for more than seven decades.

Father Lydon was born in Buck Run of Fink, WV, on April 30, 1923. He was the fifth child of James Patrick Lydon, Sr. and Ellen Bridget Maybury. He received his elementary education in the public schools of Fink and Buck Run. He went to St. Patrick’s High School in Weston, WV, for his higher education. After he graduated from high school in 1942, he attended St. Charles College in Catonsville, MD, to begin his studies for the priesthood. Upon graduation he attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD, for his philosophical and theological studies. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor degree in Sacred Theology.

He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood by Archbishop John Joseph Swint in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Wheeling, WV, on June 3, 1950. He was appointed to the following parishes as an associate priest: St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish, Wheeling WV (1950-1952); St. John the Baptist Parish, Clarksburg, WV (1952-1955); and St. Francis DeSales Parish, Beckley, WV (1955-1957). He served in the following parishes as a pastor: St. Catherine’s Parish, Ronceverte, WV (1957-1960); Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Logan, WV (1960-1965); St. Agnes Parish, Charleston, WV (1965-1969); St. Francis Xavier Parish, Parkersburg, WV (1969-1976); St. Joseph’s Parish, Martinsburg, WV (1976-1982); St. John’s Parish, Wellsburg, WV (1982-1986); St. Vincent DePaul Parish, New Martinsville, WV (1986-1993). During his priesthood he served on the following diocesan committees: Senate of Priests, the Liturgical and Architectural committee, the Presbyterate council, the Priests Health and Retirement committee and the Vocations committee. He also served as Dean of the Parkersburg and Martinsburg deaneries. He was past president and past chaplain of the Serra Club of Clarksburg, WV.

On June 22, 1993, he retired as pastor and moved to Clarksburg, WV. For fifteen years he supplied week-end services in various parishes in WV.

He is the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, John Francis Lydon and James Patrick Lydon, Jr., his sisters, Gertrude Lydon Pugh, Eleanor Lydon Stark, Marie Lydon Murray, and Agnes Lydon Aman, two nieces Alice Murray and Patty Russell. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family thanks Dr. James Malone, Dr. Michael Angotti, Dr. John McKnight and the staff at Meadowview Manor for their care and compassion. Also, special thanks to all his fellow bridge players for hours of enjoyment and a love for the game.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or to the Priests Health and Retirement Association, P.O. Box 230, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Father Lydon was taken to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8092 3rd Street, Stonewood, WV, on Wednesday, May 30th where a visitation will was held. A Vigil Service was held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday to conclude the visitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Bishop Michael J. Bransfield as Celebrant, and priest of the diocese as Concelebrants, with Father William B. Anderson as homilist.

Interment followed in the Machpelah Cemetery in Weston, WV.

Arrangements are under the solemn honor and care of the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.